Which ASX gold stock should you buy in 2026?

It was little surprising that ASX gold stocks ranked among the market's standout performers in 2025.

A surging gold price powered hefty gains for ASX gold stocks. Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) and Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) emerged as some of the strongest performers in the ASX 200.

Evolution's share price jumped 163% to $12.68. Ramelius just muscled its way to an all-time high of $4.20, kicking off the year up 3.4% after a blistering 102% surge in 2025. ASX gold stock Regis almost tripled in value in 2025, lifting its market capitalisation to $5.7 billion.

Now, investors are asking whether the gold rally still has legs. A closer look at last year's outperforming gold shares suggests the answer is far from clear-cut.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

The outlook for Evolution — and for ASX gold stocks more broadly — hinges largely on the direction of bullion in the year ahead.

Operationally, Evolution remains in good shape. The miner delivered record production, generated strong cash flow and kept costs low, positioning it well when gold prices are rising.

Valuation, however, has become a sticking point. After the explosive run of the ASX gold stock, several brokers have cooled on the outlook. UBS at one stage downgraded the shares to sell, trimming price targets on weaker earnings forecasts and flagging flat production ahead.

Analysts now publish a wide spread of valuation estimates, suggesting the market may already be pricing in more growth than the business can realistically deliver. With gold prices sensitive to currency moves and shifting macro sentiment, the risk of consolidation is rising.

TradingView data show most analysts rate the $25 billion miner a hold. The most bullish 12-month price target of $14.45 implies 14% upside, while the average target of $11.20 points to an 11% pullback.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

Ramelius Resources has spent years as gold's quiet achiever. Not anymore. Suddenly, after last year's 102% surge, Ramelius is an $8 billion ASX gold stock.

The pitch is getting louder. Management is gunning for 500,000 ounces a year by decade's end, a leap that would haul Ramelius out of mid-cap limbo and into genuine mid-tier status.

The fundamentals are lining up. The Perth gold producer has a focused WA asset base, strong cash flow and a beefed-up resource inventory post-merger. Costs are rising and integration risk remains, but sentiment has shifted.

A $250 million buyback and higher dividends have brokers cheering, with average 12-month price targets near $4.70 and potential gains of 11%. However, some analysts are seeing 50%+ upside for 2026.

Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL)

Regis also rode the gold wave, rebounding from earlier losses to deliver a strong profit as bullion climbed. Broker sentiment is mixed but marginally more constructive than for Evolution and a little more pessimistic than for Ramelius.

Some analysts point to solid production and results that exceeded expectations, lifting price targets and highlighting attractive dividend yields.

Still, challenges remain. FY26 guidance points to flat or slightly lower production and rising costs, suggesting the easy gains may be behind it. While interest in gold stocks persists, Regis' growth outlook looks less explosive than last year.

The most optimistic analyst sees 27% upside to a $9.60 target, but the average forecast of $6.95 sits 8% below the current $7.55 share price.

The post Which ASX gold stock should you buy in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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